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Dog sled races at Massena Winter Carnival canceled, but dogs, sleds and mushers will still be there

Posted 1/28/13

MASSENA – This week the Massena Winter Carnival will be in full swing with the opening ceremonies Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Massena Chamber office, but the weather has forced a few changes to the …

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Dog sled races at Massena Winter Carnival canceled, but dogs, sleds and mushers will still be there

Posted

MASSENA – This week the Massena Winter Carnival will be in full swing with the opening ceremonies Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Massena Chamber office, but the weather has forced a few changes to the schedule, including cancellation of the dog sled races.

There will be wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and at 5:30 p.m., and then on Friday, the Winter Carnival Parade begins at 7 p.m., winding its way through downtown before the fireworks at Bushnell Field at 8 p.m.

Chamber President and Winter Carnival Co-Chairperson Susan Stiles explained that “Since Mother Nature has decided not to grant our request of snow, snow and more snow, and for the safety of the mushers and their dogs, it is necessary to cancel the dog sled races for both Saturday and Sunday.

“However, we are very excited to announce that Christina Gates from the Arctic Sled Dog Racing Association will be at Hawkins Point Visitors Center with her dogs and will be making presentations on Saturday, along with Spencer Thew, owner of the Call of the Wild Kennels, who will be on hand for demonstrations of Dryland Dog Sled Racing.” Those presentations will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with great opportunities for everyone to meet the dog sled owners and their dogs, and explore a different type of dog sled racing.

Winter Carnival Co-Chairperson Miriam Catapano says that after the events during the day Saturday, “we will be heading to the Village Inn at 6 p.m. for a Winter Carnival Meet & Greet Dinner, as well as some fun entertainment with karaoke starting at 8 p.m.”

On Sunday, again at Hawkins Point Visitors Center, there will be activities for kids from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including horse-drawn wagon rides, Massena Chamber food booth, Cubby T. Clown, and the closing ceremonies with a live remote with 1340 WMSA and the drawing for the Winter Carnival 50-50 Raffle.